The Monkees: Season 2
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Movie Reviews of The Monkees: Season 2
Movie Review: Great, but could have been a bit more content.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have awaited this second season set (as the first season) for years. The quality of the prints are great with the well known exception of "Monkees In Paris" which was supposedly filmed in 16mm. The commentary is nice with the exception of Micky's contributions. It seems he does a lot of tearing apart, even the episode he directed "The Frodis Caper"! His commentary to "33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee" (here in the correct running order unlike the way it was originally broadcast) is so trashing I wonder why RHINO even let it remain. I know good and well the special does take some getting used to for the non-Monkees fan, but for it's day, in my opinion, was a break-through in television. Brian Auger's commentary is great! I was quite surprised he remembered so much!Now, like the title of my review, I feel there could have been more added. The bonus footage from "The Glen Campbell Show" shows the 2 more obscure comedy clips from that show but doesn't include their "live" medley, The "Tear Drop City" lip-sync "video" or the fabulous history musical skit. I wonder why they didn't press to get the Kool- Aid Commercials on this set also.
Seeing in most cases, this set is a bit more expensive, with less episodes, I feel there could have been a bit more. Funny that Michael even mentions their reunion episode but wouldn't let Rhino include it. That would have made it come full circle.
I have rated it 5 stars on the content and it's quality. If I was rating on how much effort was put into this project compared to the 1st season box set, I guess I would take a star away. The Packaging is as great as the 1st season with the psuedo 45 picture sleeves! I know most complain that the discs slide out but I never had that problem with the 1st box set.
Being a fan of "Star Trek" as well, I wished Paramont would put those episodes out in a set because at the average $17.99 per disc with 79 episodes plus the unaired pilot and 2 on each of all 40 disc's, it's roughly $720.00 minus local tax. That's neither hear nor there but I guess it does illustrate the great value of both of these sets!
Cheers to RHINO at keeping the costs at a minimum! I guess what I'm trying to say is, "I'm A Believer"!
Movie Review: MONKEES ARE A MUST
Summary: 5 Stars
Season Two looks a little tired in retrospect. The boys may have had more power, but they sure didn't know what to do with it! What kept Season One from being worthless pop trash was the earnest manner in which Mike, Micky, Peter and Davy applied themselves to farcical situations. Also the way the show would segue from comedy to (light) drama and back again. This complexity is what made the films of Charlie Chaplin such classics. Without that sincereity, farce no longer works. It becomes insulting to watch. And that's Season Two! The only message seems to be that the Monkees hate being the Monkees and they think it's all stupid and so are you for watching. Not the best basis for comedy. So why watch? Well, because there are still some shining moments and great songs in the second season, in spite of all their efforts to muck it up. While Peter's self righteous hippy trip and Micky's embarassing mugging may try your patience, keep watching and you'll hit lots of paydirt, even if it isn't of the same calibre as Season One.
Micky Dolenz's commentary is gratingly shrill; if only he had taken a valium or something, he might have cut the shtick and come up with some insightful reminiscences, which is all anyone wants of these commentaries, isn't it? Mike's commentary is a little better in "Fairy Tale", which--surprisingly--he cites as the most fun he ever had making the show!
As for the 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee special at the end, it's painful to behold. Although, as an archivist, I'm still glad it's here. Even Micky in his commentary says at one point, "Is it just me or is this really boring?" I suppose it holds some morbid fascination, like the proverbial car crash that you just can't help but watch. But mostly, it's a chaotic and pretentious hodge podge that doesn't do much to credit the idea that the Monkees should have had complete control over their product. I much prefer them "in bondage" before the lunatics took over the asuylum! Still, this is a must for Monkee fans and they will just have to resign themselves to the fact that this time out, you have to weather some bad moments to get to the good ones.
Movie Review: Monkees collection near completion
Summary: 5 Stars
With the release of both Seasons 1 and 2 of "The Monkees" television series on DVD now over, I'm close to saying my Monkees collection is complete. Most of the other reviewers have accurately described the contents within this release: all the episodes look great, the packaging is fantastic and creative, and it certainly is a treat to have the 1969 NBC special "33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee" on DVD (even though it is NOWHERE near as innovative as their 1968 feature film HEAD). I will also agree with reviewers below who complain about the sound going up and down when switching back and forth from the menus to the actual episodes, but that is a minor quibble, and in the long run, hardly something to lose sleep over. The fact is...I no longer have to watch my 20-year old VHS tapes that I compiled in 1986 during the Monkees resurgence of that year when MTV ran the series three times a day.
Sure, the Monkees' individual commentaries are not overly-enlightening, but what is it about "The Monkees" television show that we already don't know? The general public needs to remember that this series was a 'day job' for the Monkees, and should not fault them for being foggy on the details of a certain episode that aired way back in 1968.
However, longtime Monkees caretakers Rhino could have treated us and included the Monkees' 1997 ABC television special, but it is nowhere to be found. It also would have been nice to collect all of the Monkees' television appearances of 1969 into a bonus feature as well--like their guest spots on the Johnny Cash Show, The Tonight Show, the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, etc. etc. (NOTE: some footage of the Monkees on Glen Campbell's show is included as a bonus, but their musical performances on that show have been edited out!)
This release highlights the superior second season, with episodes like "The Devil and Peter Tork," "The Frodis Caper" and "The Fairy Tale," plus "Monkees on the Wheel"...my choice for most underrated episode of the second season! Recommended.
Movie Review: Funny, charming, zany, cool.
Summary: 5 Stars
I knew going into this that there would be problems. First, the transfer could use serious improvement (look what they've done with Pride & Prejudice). This classic deserves a new Blue-Ray transfer, color correction, and soundtrack cleanup. The packaging may have been promotionally 'cute' when it came out; but with DVD storage space at a premium, a new release would be better served by a more modern package. Could have used Woodstock's 'scratches in fine leather' quote. And, while I found both seasons, mint, at a reasonable price, I would not hesitate to purchase an additional, improved, set should it be made available (Are You Listening Rhino?).
That having been said, I have absolutely loved being able to watch this series from my childhood. All the jokes and gags, all the audience laughter, and the wonderful music; took me back like no other show from my childhood. A cartoon with live actors (Like Red Green). Funny, charming, zany, cool. Davey, Peter, Mike and Mickey were both comic actors and musicians. While they became a serious band in their later days, this show had deep roots in comedy. It was a simpler time, which is well reflected by the series. Ah, those were the days. The Monkees lead me to my very first guitar, a Sears Silvertone (Just like Glenn Campbell & Jimi Hendrix). If you were a big fan of the show, and need a trip down Memory Lane. If you have to have them all, now, this is the way to go!
Movie Review: More Monkees Mayhem!
Summary: 5 Stars
The second season becomes a little more silly and obnoxious. But never-the-less worth all of the fun and laughs!
Second Season Episodes: It's A Nice Place To Visit, The Picture Frame, Everywhere A Sheik, Sheik, Monkee Mayor, Art, For Monkees' Sake, I Was A 99 LB. Weakling, Hillbilly Honeymoon, Monkees Marooned, Card Carrying Red Shoes, The Wild Monkees, A Coffin Too Frequent, Hitting The High Seas, Monkees In Texas, Monkees On the Wheel, The Christmas Show, Fairy Tale, Monkees Watch Their Feet, Monstrous Monkee Mash, The Devil & Peter Tork, Monkees Race Again, The Monkees In Paris, Monkees Mind Their Manor, Some Like It Lukewarm, Monkees Blow Their Minds, Mijacogeo, & Special 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee.
When I bought The Second Season and watched it from start to finish I was sad to see the show end here. I wanted and craved more. However, those who know The Monkees history we understand why it did end.
Packaged like the first box set, there's even more goodies! They have the music video's (which some do repeat like Daydream Believer) & tons more! Don't miss out on this one especially for the episodes: Hitting The High Seas, The Christmas Show, & Fairy Tale. Which are my favorite episodes of the bunch.